Drake Hogestyn

Acting never seemed to be in the cards for Drake Hogestyn growing up in Fort Wayne, IN. In fact, science seemed to be the name of the game for this book nerd. (Although there was another game, baseball, that came into play later.)

After graduating high school, Hogestyn enrolled in the University of South Florida and got there on a baseball scholarship. Still, he decided to major in pre-dentistry, but eventually earned degrees in microbiology and applied sciences, two things far, far from sports and performing.

On a whim, Hogestyn decided to enter a talent search through Columbia Pictures, but was competing against 75,000 other people. That didn’t seem to matter because Hogestyn was one of 30 people who won this contest, which landed him a role on the short-lived TV version of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

After several episodic appearances, Hogestyn found his acting home on Days of Our Lives where he took over the role of Roman Brady from Wayne Northrop. Of course, he was first known as The Pawn, and then John Black, and John Black again after Northrop returned to the soap. Hogestyn has also been known on DAYS as Forrest Alamain and been a DiMera, among other things. Some could say he’s had more roles on on soap than almost anyone.

While making his home on the small screen on DAYS since 1986, Hogestyn also made California his home and raised a family. He married childhood sweetheart, Victoria, soon after landing in Salem, and they have four now-grown children, Ben, Whitney, Alexandra, and Rachael.

In 2016, the actor had an accident on the DAYS set that led to a head injury as they shot a stunt. This sidelined him for several months, but he returned to the fold with welcome arms and silver hair, showing us his strong longevity as a daytime legend.

Fast Facts

September 29, 1953 — Birthdate

Hogestyn actually made it to a professional baseball spot on a New York Yankees farm team.

The actor was a third basemen until an injury ended his career on the diamond in 1978.

In 2008, budget cuts forced DAYS to fire Hogestyn, but fan outcry was too great and he was rehired.

Hogestyn almost appeared in the sitcom Kelly, Kelly, but his DAYS scheduled stopped him from taking the lead role.

Relationships

Victoria — Wife

Ben — Son

Whitney — Daughter

Alexandra — Daughter

Rachael — Daughter

Summary

On January 24, 1986, Drake Hogestyn joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as Roman Brady, and later, John Black.

Hogestyn dreamed of being a professional baseball player and played on the farm team for the New York Yankees until he was sidelined by an injury in 1978.

A stint on the 80’s series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers whetted his appetite for television and the rest is Days history!